Reply to: How are contractors perceived when they apply for permanent jobs?

[Recruitment Agent]

I wouldnt submit a contractor in permie role as it has been requested numrous amount of times from the end client.

[bombaycat]

Clientco currently talking about taking me on permie. Hence I am applying for permie jobs to put against them. So far no other interest : presumably as I have been contract for 20+ years?

I have 2 contract jobs : please god let me get one of them so I dont have t go to the dark side.

Don't go to the dark side Brillo, think of the rubbish money, the silly political games to get next promotion, the yearly appraisal process (that should send a massive shiver down your spine), having to interview endless people who can barely string a sentence together, the checklists and spreadsheet jockys trying to feel in control - the meetings!!!! I could go on - but I've just been sick in my mouth....

stay with us BP...

I've had a verbal offer of contract (waiting for paperwork) so could be removing bum from bench fairly soon - with a bit of luck. They wanted me permie but I ducked and dived effectively - agent couldn't hide his surprise/horror....made me snigger....

[swamp]

As a contractor you'll often make the first interview round, but you'll struggle in many places to get the role.

They'll want to hear about your technical prowess and wide experience, but mostly they'll want to gloat at the pitiful sight of a hot-shot contractor forced to hold a begging bowl at the table of permiedom.

[BrowneIssue]

I have 2 contract jobs : please god let me get one of them so I dont have t go to the dark side.

Buy a petrol-powered electricity generator (DC, not AC) and some good heavy duty jump leads and a roll of thick, heavy duty tape.

Wire the generator up to either side of your forehead using the jump leads and the tape. Fire up the generator.

By the time you've been rescued, you'll be thoroughly One-Flew-Over-the-Cuckoo's-Nest material, and ready to go permie.

Ask Wilmslow for tips on coping.

[BrilloPad]

Clientco currently talking about taking me on permie. Hence I am applying for permie jobs to put against them. So far no other interest : presumably as I have been contract for 20+ years?

I have 2 contract jobs : please god let me get one of them so I dont have t go to the dark side.

[norrahe]

Permie - works for compnay
Contractor -works for himself ...

contractor: one who doesn't have to put up with company politicking and bulltulipe

[VladimirPutin]

Permie

Permie - works for compnay
Contractor -works for himself ...

[Spacecadet]

One of the things that convinced me that contracting was the way forward was experiencing how little loyalty most companies have towards their staff.

Slightest hint of trouble and "head count reductions" are announced

I know a few people who have been "sacked" under some very dubious circumstances - i.e. if they can sack staff instead of laying off then they will

[AlfredJPruffock]

An important distinction is that so called 'perm' staff have an average tenure of - well last time I looked at the stats - of about 2 years in a job before they move on - interesting stat to quote if you are put into a corner when quizzed qbout your suitability as an ex-contractor for a 'perm' position.

My experience is that contractors tend to be viewed by the perm staff as as being James Bond -DareDevil types - well some are at least.

[tim123]

I actually meant that I normally get it from clientco mostly and during contracts at every renewal. Have never quite understood why as I would have thought it was more expensive for them to have a permie than a contractor. Always managed to sidestep it so far, I think it may be that they think they have some kind of tax exposure - probably the pimp tells them this I don't know - stupid really.

I think it's probably more to do with the company procedures.

If a manager really wants to keep you, he knows that if you are a contractor, somewhere down the line, the company will have a contractor freeze and you will be out, regardless of how useful you are.

If you are a perm, this won't happen quite so easily

tim

[Liability]

Well yes I am aware of that which is very irritating, I even had a pimp tell me in 2003 that contracting was dead and I'd better go permie - I laughed in his face rejected his permie offer and got myself a contract.
I actually meant that I normally get it from clientco mostly and during contracts at every renewal. Have never quite understood why as I would have thought it was more expensive for them to have a permie than a contractor. Always managed to sidestep it so far, I think it may be that they think they have some kind of tax exposure - probably the pimp tells them this I don't know - stupid really.

Ive had 2 calls saying something similar - would you consider going perm and if so what would you want. Lol - as soon as you answer the latter question the call ends

[bombaycat]

Yes but that's by agents who are only after a quick buck. It is the employers whose opinions really matter because they are the ones left picking up the pieces when an ex-contractor leaves after a few months of expensive training etc.

Well yes I am aware of that which is very irritating, I even had a pimp tell me in 2003 that contracting was dead and I'd better go permie - I laughed in his face rejected his permie offer and got myself a contract.
I actually meant that I normally get it from clientco mostly and during contracts at every renewal. Have never quite understood why as I would have thought it was more expensive for them to have a permie than a contractor. Always managed to sidestep it so far, I think it may be that they think they have some kind of tax exposure - probably the pimp tells them this I don't know - stupid really.

[KentPhilip]

but I still get asked to be permie almost every time I apply for anything

Yes but that's by agents who are only after a quick buck. It is the employers whose opinions really matter because they are the ones left picking up the pieces when an ex-contractor leaves after a few months of expensive training etc.

[d000hg]

I'm very curious about how employers and recruiters for permanent positions regard people who have been contractors. Half of me thinks they may have a good opinion of them because contractors have to be independent, skilled and adaptable.

Not everyone thinks about contractors what contractors do. Some argue it's easier to be a total slacker as a contractor in fact... I'd say contractors are not automatically more or less able than permie counterparts.

[Liability]

It depends. If you have had numerous longer term contracts in your career than its not deemed as too mad. If you have had say 10 x 3 monthers [aside from you being tulipe] it will look worse.